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Landmark New Study Reveals an Unprecedented Number of North Texans

 Seeking Emergency Food Assistance


Press Conference Announces Largest, Most Comprehensive Report Ever Conducted On Emergency Food Distribution; 80.4 Percent Increase in Clients Served Weekly

DALLAS --- Feb. 2, 2010 --- Today the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) reveals the results of a landmark study released by Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. The results clearly express an unsettling truth: more children and seniors are going hungry.

The Hunger in America 2010 report is the first comprehensive study that captures the undeniable correlation between the recent economic downturn and an increased need for emergency food assistance. Hunger In America 2010 reinforces the dramatically increasing need for food assistance in the United States.

Nationally, the numbers are staggering: The Feeding America network is serving 1 million more people each week compared to four years ago -- 37 million people each year, 14 million of those children, and 3 million seniors. These figures indicate a 46 percent increase in the number of people receiving assistance compared to four years ago. Unfortunately, this means that one in eight Americans must receive food assistance from the nation’s charitable food distribution system annually.

Locally, the picture is just as grim: In the 13 counties that NTFB serves, our Member Agencies have seen an increase in food insecurity in homes with children by four percentage points, meaning more kids are hungry. An estimated 64,600 people receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or other program served by the NTFB, a jump of 80.4 percent from 2006.

“This is unacceptable,” said Jan Pruitt, president and CEO of NTFB. “Texas has the 2nd largest economy in  the country, and in November, Forbes ranked Dallas #6 on their list of top 10 fastest recovering cities. The problem is, though, that recovery is long and hard. North Texas families are still losing their jobs and having trouble putting food on the table. In this community, we are blessed with tremendous leadership, good corporate citizens, and a strong faith-based community. These entities must join together to face this issue head on, and demand that our hometowns are hunger free now.”

Among the key findings in the North Texas Food Bank report:

  • The number of households benefiting from NTFB programs with at least one employed adult has gone down 11 points: 40 percent to 29 percent.
  • The number of NTFB clients who must choose between food and paying utility bills or buying heating fuel has gone up 6 points: 51 percent to 57 percent.
  • 40 percent of NTFB clients must choose between food and medicine or medical care.
  • 31 percent of households report having at least one household member in poor health.

Another study, the Food Hardship and Hunger Report 2010, drove home the message that North Texans are going hungry. These numbers, gathered by the D.C.-based Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), noted that Dallas is the 3rd worst city for food hardship (the inability to afford enough food) of the Texas metropolitan areas surveyed.

This data could not have come at a worse time. For the first time ever, NTFB must announce a $900,000 shortfall in holiday fundraising. During the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Food Bank raises 46 percent of their budget, and donations are essential to keep their 1,100 feeding and education programs in business.

Said Pruitt, “Last year, we announced the Close The Gap initiative, aimed to eliminate the chasm between the food needs of low income families, and what they were actually getting – a stunning 50 million meals. Our goal was ambitious, but our second core value is unwavering: we must do what is right with urgency, and we are exceeding our goals. Our economy is recovering, but food insecurity is still a daily reality for thousands of North Texans. Thus, we must extend our reach to ensure that everyone gets enough to eat, and we need everybody’s help to make that happen. This is your community, these are your neighbors, and together, we can imagine a world without hunger.” 

For their part in the research, The North Texas Food Bank conducted face-to-face interviews with 398 people seeking emergency food at food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs, as well as interviews with 222 agencies that provide food assistance.

Nationally, Feeding America collected quantitative and qualitative feedback from 61,000 face-to-face in-depth interviews with people seeking emergency food assistance and more than 37,000 agency surveys, making this study the largest, most comprehensive ever conducted on domestic hunger.  

 

About the North Texas Food Bank

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of 1,146 feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Close the Gap is the NTFB’s 3-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually by 2011.

Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a member of Feeding America (feedingamerica.org). *Last year, the NTFB provided access to 37 million meals through its efforts. Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 53,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry.

About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support more than 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. Feeding America is based in Chicago. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Feeding America  or follow our news on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Feedingamerica.

Click here to view the summary of the findings. The full national report is available on Feeding America's web site on Tuesday at FeedingAmerica.org.

Media Contacts:
Kim Smith
Media Relations
kims@ntfb.org
Cell: 214-707-5736

Colleen Brinkmann
Chief Philanthropy Officer colleen@ntfb.org
214-347-9594
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